The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-06-24


passionately.
"Only let me see her and you shall
hear, rejoined Lady Lucy.
"Well, my love, it were a pity but
what thou shouldst have the oppor-
tunity," said Lady ClarendOn; but
much fear thy little heart will fail
thee, and when thou seest the queen
face to face, thou wilt not be able to
utter syllable"
"God will direct the words on my
lips" said the little girl, with tears in
her eyes.
The countess was impressed with
the piety and filial tenderness OF her
little god-daughter, and she hastened
to rise and dress that she might con-
duct the child into the palace gallery,
where the queen usually passed
an hour walking, after her re-
turn from chapel which she
attended every morning. Her
majesty had not left the chapel when
Lady Clarendon and Lady Lucy en-
tered the gallery; and her ladyship en-
deavored to divert the anxious impa-
tience of her little friend by pointing
out to her the portraits with which it
was adorned.
II know that gentleman WE'LL" said
the child, pointing to noble whole
length portrait of James II.
THAT is the portrait of the deposed
King James, Queen Mary's father"
observed the countess sighing, land q
very striking likeness it is of that unfor-
tunate monarch. But hark! here co mes
hny al loiY
ladies, from the chapel; now, Lucy is the
time, will step into the recess yonder,
but you must remain alone, standing
where you are, and when her maj
esty approaches near enough, kneel
down on one knee before her and pre-
sent your fathers Petition. She
who walks little in advance of the
other ladies is the queen. Be of good
courage, and address yourself to her.
Lady Clarendon then made hasty
retreat. LuCy's heart fiuttered vio-
lently when she found herself alone,
but her resolution did not fail her;
and while her lips moved silently IN
fervent prayer to the almighty for his
assistance in this trying moment, she
stood with folded hands, pale, but
composed, and motionless as q statue,
awaiting the queens approach. and
when her majesty drew near the spot,
she advanced a step forward, kneit
and presented her petition.
The extreme beauty OF the child, her
deep mourning, the touching sadness
of her look and manner, and above all
the streaming tears which bedewed
her face, excited the queens attention
and interest; she paused, spoke kindly
to her, and took the offered paper;
but when she saw the name OF Lord
Preston her color rose. She frowned,
cast the petition from her, and would
have passed on; but Lucy who had
watched her counterance with de-
gree OF anxious interest that amount
ed to agony, losing all awe for royal
ty, in her fears for her father, put
forth her hand, and grasping the
queens robe, cried in an imploring tone:
"Spare my father-my dear, dear
father, royal lady"
Lucy had meant to say many per-
suasive things, but she forgot them
all in her sore distress, and could on.
ly repeat the words:
:'Mercy, mercy for my father,
gracious queen" till her vehement
emotion choked her voice, and throw
ing her arms around the queens knees,
she leaned her head against her mai
esty's person for support, and sobbed
aloud.
The intense sorrow of child is al
ways peculiarly touching; but the cir
cumstances under which Lucy appear
ed were more than commonly affect
ing. TWAS daughter, not beyond the
season of infancy, overmastering the
timidity OF that tender age, to become
a suppliant to an offended sovereign
for the life of father. Queen Mary
pitied the distress of her young petit
tioner; but she considered the death
ofLord Preston as ameasure OF politi.
cal necessity; she therefore told Lucy
mildly, but firmly, that she could not
grant her request.
'But he is good and kind to every
one" said Lucy, raising her blue eyes,
which were swimming in tears, to the
face of the queen.
He may be so to you, chiid," re-
turned her majesty; shut he has brok-
en- the laws Of his country, and there
fore he must die"
t'But you can pardon him if you
choose to do so, madame replied
Lucy; and have read that God il
well pleased with those who forgive;
for he has said. Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall OBTAIN mercy"
ut does not become little girl hike
you to instruct me" replied thequee
gravely. 81 am acquainted with my
duty; and as it is my place to admin
lister justice inlpartially, it is not
possible for me. to pardoG your faith
ar. hnwavar r1ainfi1l it may be for me